Should I or Should I not is the question!

RazorbackRN, BSN, RN · Apr 24, 2006

I was working of med/surg this weekend as part of my practicum. I had 3 patients sometimes 4. Everything went very well and I enjoyed myself. It was very busy and the nurse I was working with was wonderful. Yesterday this nurse asked me if I would be interested in working in med/surg and that she liked the fact that I was confident and never hesitated to ask questions and get help if needed. I said I had thought about it but it scared me since each nurse normally has 5 patients that they care for and I was unsure if I could handle a patient load like that. She told me not to worry that I would have a mentor for quite a while when I started. I said to her "well maybe you could be my mentor" her response was that she would love to but she is normally the "charge nurse", but she thought I would do well on that floor. Her comment made me feel good about myself.
Here is my delimma, sorry this is so long.
I have been working in a clinical setting as a medical assistant for 11 years and I currently make the same wages as a new LPN starting in the hospital here in this town. I think I would enjoy bedside nursing, but I am afraid of having so many patients and if I moved to the hospital to work, I would want more money than I believe they would want to pay me as a new LPN. I wont make anymore money where I am at as an LPN, since LPN's and CMA's make the same wage in the clinics here. I was just wondering what everyone else thought, should I or should I not?

Personally, I would take the LPN position. Honestly, you are probably at the top of the pay scale as a CMA and probably won't go much higher. However, as an LPN you would be towards the lower end of the pay scale with lots more room for growth and higher earnings. JMO

Tweety, BSN, RN · Apr 24, 2006

Sounds like all things are equal in the salary department so money shouldn't factor into the equation.

So since you know you're not going to be making more money the question is what do you think will challenge you, help you learn and grow as a person and professionally? How much stress and drama do you want in your life. What experience will help you with your long-term goals? Why did you become an LPN in the first place?

Good luck in the soul searching. It's a shame that with all that extra work and education you are not going to be financially rewarded.

TazziRN, RN · Apr 24, 2006

I think it's a no-brainer. You are going to school to be an LPN, so it makes sense to take an LPN position. The poster who compared the salaries is right: the starting pay for an LPN may be equal to what you're making now, but it's STARTING pay.....it will go up. I doubt your MA pay will go up anymore.

GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Apr 25, 2006

You will get a ton of experience in med/surg where as your job description may not change all that much working in an office. If you get some good experience early in your nursing career, you will be able to switch specialties easier in the future. If you stay in an office for a few years, you will need some brushing on on skills and procedures/charting before switching specialties. I also agree w/ the others about you will make more in the long run as an LPN in med/surg.

clee1 · Apr 25, 2006

Take the M/S job.

If the $$$ is a wash now, the future mobility that M/S will provide over a clinic will ensure a brighter future for your career.

Best of luck to you.

Little Panda RN, ASN, RN · Apr 25, 2006

I want to thank all of you for your replies. I am leaning towards the med/surg position. The only thing holding me back is that it scares me, the taking care of so many patients. I do not think I could ever forgive myself if something happen to one of my patients because I was to busy to notice a change in their health status. I know it is a learning process and I pray that I am up to the task of nursing that God has so graciously given me the opportunity to perform.

I applaud :yelclap: all you nurses. What you do and how you do it is so amazing. I am in awe of the skill and knowledge that all of you possess.

clee1 · Apr 25, 2006

I want to thank all of you for your replies. I am leaning towards the med/surg position. The only thing holding me back is that it scares me, the taking care of so many patients. I do not think I could ever forgive myself if something happen to one of my patients because I was to busy to notice a change in their health status. I know it is a learning process and I pray that I am up to the task of nursing that God has so graciously given me the opportunity to perform.
I applaud :yelclap: all you nurses. What you do and how you do it is so amazing. I am in awe of the skill and knowledge that all of you possess.

Don't sweat it. You WILL learn to be able to handle it.

Best wishes.

imenid37 · Apr 25, 2006

I want to thank all of you for your replies. I am leaning towards the med/surg position. The only thing holding me back is that it scares me, the taking care of so many patients. I do not think I could ever forgive myself if something happen to one of my patients because I was to busy to notice a change in their health status. I know it is a learning process and I pray that I am up to the task of nursing that God has so graciously given me the opportunity to perform.
I applaud :yelclap: all you nurses. What you do and how you do it is so amazing. I am in awe of the skill and knowledge that all of you possess.

Hey YOU are one of US nurses. Best of luck with your career!

midnightRN · Apr 25, 2006

It is scary, realizing you are responsible for several patients. I started on the night shift and had 8 to myself within a month. Did I make mistakes? Yep. Fortunately, they were minor and easily corrected. On days at my workplace we generally have 5 on the med/surg floors. It take some practice and confidence, but I'm certain you can do it. The nice thing about the place you spoke of is that the staff there are supportive and friendly. If they have a positive learning environment and atmosphere on the floor, I'd recommend heading in that direction. I'd also recommend you take all of the orientation time you are offered. It helps build skills and confidence! Good luck!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Apr 25, 2006

I want to thank all of you for your replies. I am leaning towards the med/surg position. The only thing holding me back is that it scares me, the taking care of so many patients. I do not think I could ever forgive myself if something happen to one of my patients because I was to busy to notice a change in their health status. I know it is a learning process and I pray that I am up to the task of nursing that God has so graciously given me the opportunity to perform.
I applaud :yelclap: all you nurses. What you do and how you do it is so amazing. I am in awe of the skill and knowledge that all of you possess.

We all have those fears every day. It's very acute when you first get out of school, it's hard scarey work, and you're going to wish daily that you never took the position, that you don't have what it takes. The days add up and one day you realize you can actually handle it.

It's very normal to have fear and doubt when you're a new nurse.